Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Revolution

“Nobody’s Business” drama by group of young adults brings
awareness to dating violence

By Shelly Burke, Editor

A group of young adults in Columbus, NE, is bringing
awareness to a sensitive but important topic; dating violence and sexual
assault. “Revolution”, a group of about 40 young adults that range in age from
freshmen in high school to sophomores in college, writes and presents a drama
about dating violence and sexual assault every year, and presents it to various
groups throughout the year.

The name of the drama this year is “Nobody’s Business.” It’s
about three couples; one with domestic violence, one with sexual assault and
one couple with a healthy relationship. Abbie Tessendorf, Revolution Supervisor,
started with the Center for Survivors, which Revolution is associated with, in 2000.
While working with youth she realized that she enjoyed prevention work; she
became the Revolution Supervisor in 2008. Abbie says, “My favorite part of the presentation is after the dramatization. The
audience gets to question the actors, who answer in the character of who they
played in the drama. The audience asks why they think and acted as they did
during the drama. It’s very powerful.”

The actors then come out of character and provide
information about the behavior of the person they played in the drama. The
presentation ends with a slideshow and a “call to action” by one of the group members.

All of the Revolution members go through 16 hours of
training to learn about dating violence, sexual assault and stalking, and mandatory
monthly meetings include more education about those issues. The focus is on
recognizing the signs of violence and helping friends who may be experiencing
it. Members who act in the drama and presentation receive much more training
and rehearse for months before presenting it.

The group typically presents at high schools; there is no
charge for the presentations if they are done in The Center for Survivors
service area of Platte, Colfax, Butler, Boone, Nance and Polk Counties. If a
presentation is requested out of this area the group only asks for travel costs
to be covered. This year “Nobody’s Business”
will be also be presented at the “No More” conference in late October and at the
Hastings Campus of Central Community College, in November.

Abbie describes how
Revolution has touched lives. “When I
first started with the group, I knew it would have a profound effect on the
members of the group, but I had no idea how it would touch the lives of those
who see it. I think for some, seeing the drama puts a name to something awful
that has happened to them, and for others they feel like they see interactions
around them differently. I think victims feel some shame lifted and friends
feel like they know better how to help. The young people involved with
Revolution have a huge passion for others, and they want to make their world a
better place.”

If you would like Revolution to present to your group,
please contact Abbie Tessendorf at The Center for Survivors by calling (402)
564-2155, or e-mail her at abbie@centerforsurvivors.net.

See the Ask the Expert
column, by Abbie Tessendorf, on this
page for things you can do to protect your kids from teen dating violence.

It's hard for me to believe it's November already! Sometimes I'm still amazed that it's 2014! I remember being a little girl and thinking about how I would be "old" when the calendar changed to the year 2000...I'd be over 30 years old!The November issue of the "Nebraska Family Times" has distributed to sponsors, subscribers and advertisers! I pray that the articles in this issue bless you. Among some of my favorites:

What Should Christians Do About Ebola? Hint: Pray first!

I Didn't Sign Up for This, an article that describes our sometimes unrealistic expectations of pastor's wives, along with suggestions as to how we can encourage pastor's wives.

Seven Positive Ways Christians Can Use Social Media

Know the Effects of Selfie Trends on Our Kids

Thankfulness for Thanksgiving, an article with some great ideas for focusing on what Thanksgiving really means.

You can read all of these articles and more by picking up a copy of the "Nebraska Family Times" in many locations; click on the "sponsor" tabs at the top of this page. Or call me at (402) 750-3496 or e-mail me at shelly@shellyburke.net with your name and mailing address and I'll send you a free complimentary copy of the paper.

Do you know someone who would enjoy receiving a Christian publication in their mailbox every month? Perhaps your shut-in grandparents or a newly married couple on a tight budget would appreciate the encouragement of news, devotions and Bible study, all from a Christian point of view. A gift subscription is only $20/year; the "Nebraska Family Times" is published monthly. To subscribe, or give a gift subscription, click on the "Subscribe" button on the right hand side of this page.

Saturday, October 11, 2014

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About the Nebraska Family Times

The Nebraska Family Times is a monthly pro-family, pro-life newspaper. We cover local, state, and national news and events from a Christian point of view. We feature articles by local and nationally known authors, who write about topics ranging from home organization to family life to spiritual life. The Nebraska Family Times also features book and CD reviews as well as news about upcoming Christian events.
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Editor Shelly Burke and her kids, Cody and Morgan

I'm blogging the A to Z Challenge!

I'm also blogging at "Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom's Guide"

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We believe in the Triune God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three in one. We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, given by God without error. God the Holy Spirit inspired His chosen writers to write the different books of the Bible. We believe that Jesus came to earth as true God and true man, suffered and died for our sins and rose again, ascended into heaven and now sits at the right hand of God. We believe that we have forgiveness of sins and salvation through the Holy Spirit, Who creates faith in us. We are saved only by Grace--God's undeserved love for us--not by anything we can do. Because we are saved we will spend eternity in heaven with the Lord! As Christians, we are given the Great Commission of bringing others to know God's truth so that they, too, may receive salvation and live eternally in heaven.

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